At What Point Did Being Pro-Science Become Synonymous with Anti-Religion?

My friend Steven Hodson often says that there are two things he was taught never to bring up in polite company: politics and religion.

I’ve never been accused of being “the polite blogger,” but when I think of folks like @DrKiki (of Leo’s science hour), I do think an aspect of her personality as being quite polite (and in person, too, incidentally. Got a chance to meet her briefly in Austin).

So why, then, is it kosher for these science types feel it’s OK to push atheism in our faces (which goes under the more politically correct term “skepticism” now) when they get all over our case for talking about things spiritual?

For that matter, at what point did science become a quasi-religious movement of anti-theists? Isn’t science supposed to be about, you know, finding stuff out (as opposed to stamping stuff out)?

I’m not an overly religious person (though I maintain my spiritual beliefs privately and teach them to my family). I don’t enjoy being marginalized, even if it’s subtly, by those who consider themselves on the frontlines of the intellectualists.

I’ve got more to say on this – some theories and research to back up my position of this “war” between science and religion from the imagination of the “skeptics,” but I’m curious if I’m the only one who feels this way and wonders these things.

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To be fair, when did religion become anti-science? I may not strongly support the new atheists movement, but you have to consider it within the context that it exists as a reaction to the rise of religious bigotry against science

Those that frame religion as adversarial to science are by far in the minority, and typically of the lesser educated ilk. I won't go into all the nuance of the "creationism in schools" mumbo jumbo, but looking at the larger picture, I think it's important to note:

In science circles, it's a badge of intelligence to wear your anti-theism on your sleeve. Dawkins has done a lot to advance this in recent years.

In religious circles, it's a sign of ignorance to say that science is the antithesis of your religion.

There are more religious people in this world than not. As in the Mac vs. PC "wars," an imagined war between religion and science benefits two parties: the underdog and the media reporting the story.

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